And we’re off. 2018 is now upon us all. So you haven’t played banjo in a long time. That poor banjo is gathering dust in the closet, stuck on your wall, or heck you can’t really remember where it is exactly.

Where did I put it?????

If you haven’t played in awhile why not make a fresh start in 2018? Get back on that horse and let’s play. I offer lessons in various ways. I have a YouTube Channel that is full of great videos. I also offer a video lesson pack for sale and an ebook with audio exercises to get you going. Get those HERE.

To get started again just grab that banjo and dust it off a bit. Tune it up and watch this.

Take your time. Take your time. Take your time. Yes, I’m asking you to just slow down and enjoy the process. No matter why you put your banjo down in the first place, it doesn’t really matter. But there is a reason you own a banjo. Something made you want to learn to play it. Maybe you played Scruggs style, maybe this maybe that. If you haven’t tried this style (clawhammer, frailing, Old-Time), then you haven’t seen how happy this style can make you. Give it a shot.

Hope to hear from you! If you like what you see on my YouTube channel, make a comment to say hello. Be sure to like my FB page too.

In case you didn’t know, 300 types of rosewood (and some other wood) has recently become very regulated. If you would like to read more 2017 Regulations

What does this mean Mandy? This means that any new instrument you purchase will not be made of rosewood (or these other woods). Does it mean that my rosewood instrument that I already have is illegal, oh no?? No it does not. It just means that you cannot take that instrument out of your country.

Why are you telling me this Mandy? Well, I’m telling you because any new instrument you purchase through me (as a dealer for Gold Tone and it’s partners) will not have a rosewood fretboard.

-Would you like to learn banjo? Check out my eBook or video lessons pack HERE

This leads me to happily say I’m getting a NEW BANJO!!! YIPPIE, that’s always a good thing am I right? Do the happy dance –

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY YIPPIE!!

I’m getting a new banjo so that I can show you the new wood used in Gold Tone fretboards and review it for you, wink wink!

The new wood used will be Australian or New Zealand Blackwood. Here are some interesting facts about this Australian Blackwood

Gold Tone will be getting the banjo I’m purchasing back in stock in early January. I’ll have a full review once I get it and I’ll be playing it a LOT (reasons why will be in another post).

I feel weird not putting a photo into my blog post so here is a random photo for your viewing pleasure. This is a coat rack my husband made for us out of CEDAR. I am talking about wood so yeah. We got the board from a man who sells them at the flea market, and some nice cast iron hooks from another vendor there. Hubby sanded the board and installed the hooks and there we go.

This is my #1 video of all time for a reason. Well several reasons actually.

It’s short

It’s fun

Breaks the technique down into 3 easy steps

If you simply follow these 3 steps you will be playing banjo in no time. Do heed what I say about repetition though. If you take your time with this and do it right you will have all the tools necessary to play any song easily.

From here you add on to make a song more “yours” or more “challenging”. The best part about this method is that it’s so versatile. You can switch it up using simple techniques and sound really good.

If you would like my lessons I have both an eBook with audio exercises, and a video lessons pack. Both have wonderful information and both come with printable/saveable materials. To learn more or to purchase visit Banjo Lemonade Lessons

Playing at a jam session is often a scary and daunting thing to most newer banjo players. This video will make you a better banjo player! Here I show you the 3 common guitar chord shapes of G, C, and D.

If you can watch the guitar at a jam you can play along with almost any song. Learn the most popular chords “shapes” and unknown songs become easy to play. This technique is used by MANY people.

A guitar (usually many guitars) are always a mainstay at jams or play alongs. One thing that can happen if you see multiple guitars is one of the guitars will play alternate chords that sound good together. If you can recognize any of these chords you can play along with the lead or rhythm.

If you need help learning to play the banjo here are my lessons. You can choose the eBook and audio exercises, or the video lessons pack. Both have plenty of great material to learn from. My goal was to provide multiple methods for those who prefer “books” to “videos” and so forth. The vid lesson pack also has printable/saveable written materials. Banjo Lemonade Lessons

I’m here for you if you have questions. I get many questions but will do my very best to answer them all. Another of my goals is to get as many people playing banjo as possible. Banjo playing, especially the old-time styles are becoming lost in the world.